Method and apparatus for operating on heels



y 1938- A. F. BALL ET AL 2,123,269

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING 0N HEELS Filed March 3, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet-l Filed March 3, 1937 5 SheetsSheet 2 rlllll 1n ||1 y 1933- A. F. BALL El AL 2,123,269

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed March 3, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jiiweniors July 12, 1938. BALL r AL 2,123,269

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON HEELS Filed March 5, 1937 5 $heets-Sheet 5 Witness Java/anions *HXW P v h Patented July 12, 1938 METHOD AND APSQRATIIEIS FOR OPERATING HELS Arthur F. Ball, Haverliill, and George A. Craig, Maiden, Masa, assignors to Gregory & Read Wood Heel Company, Maiden, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 3, 1937, Serial No. 128,784

12 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for shaping the sides and back of a curved heel such as a Cuban or French heel which has a convex heel shaped contour with a somewhat concave surface from top to bottom of the heel.

It is the purpose and object of the present invention to finish the extended side and rear surfaces of such heels in a single operation, and in a manner to insure the proper contour and finish of the resulting surface. 1

For the accomplishment of this object it is proposed that the heel block shall be held in a predetermined position and oscillated in a manner to bring both sides and back of the heel into the cutting region which may lie generally midway between the limits of the oscillating are which coincides approximately with the center of the heel. During this oscillatory movement of the heel the surface is engaged by an endless abrasive belt or its equivalent, which is traveling past the surface of the oscillating heel in a direction lengthwise of the belt, which is generally convex across its width and from top to bottom of the heel, and which angles lengthwise with respect to the length of the heel in such a manner that as the heel progresses lengthwise oi the belt the cutting region shifts its position with relation to the width of the belt.

Still further features of the invention consist in certain novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine designed for carrying out the new method; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail illustrating an elevation partly in section of the means for predetermining the location of the heel with respect to the holding mechanism; Fig. 4 is a detail illustrating the means for adjusting the position of the abrasive belt and the relative location of the belt with respect to the heel; Fig. 5 is a detail illust ating the belt in engagement with the heel and the supporting brush therebehind; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a somewhat modified form of mechanism employing two belts to divide the shaping and finishing operation into two steps.

As hereinbefore stated, the method contemplates holding the bacl; or rear face of a heel block in contact with a moving belt surface which is convex and traveling at an angle to the heel block, .and while thus engaged oscillating the heel block to the extent necessary to cause engagement with the back and opposite sides of the block in the arc of oscillation. Referring to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it will be observed that this method is carried on in an organized apparatus which comprises essentially a revolving turret to which a series of heel blocks are clamped, a partially crossed endless belt mounted adjacent the turret and designed to engage heel blocks successively as they are presented to the run of the belt, and means for imparting an oscillation of desired amplitude tosuccessive heel blocks so long as they remain in abrasive or cutting contact with the belt.

The machine may be mounted upon a baselll having a hollow boss or standard I 2 projecting upwardly therefrom. Within this standard is mounted a stationary post It which rotatably supports a turret table l6, having mounted about its periphery a series of lower and driving clamps i8. Above the turret table Nils supported a rotary head 20 which is driven from and caused to rotate with the table 16 through a series of posts 22, each mounted in the lower table-through a boss 24, and each sliding at its upper end in a boss 26. Each post is surrounded by a coil supporting spring 28', the springs being interposed between the table and upper head, and serving topermit vertical adjustment of the upper head with respect to the table while the posts cause the two to rotate in unison. The heels are held between the driving clamps and holding or driven clamps 30. These driven clamps are mounted above the periphery of the upper table, and'are normally caused to engage with the heel blocks through compression springs 32. They are elevated out of engagement with the heel blocks by levers 34 pivoted at 36 to the head and connected to the stem 38 of the clamping member by virtue of a head 40. The rear ends or tails of these levers 34 extend inwardly and are engaged by a stationary face cam 42 which is mounted upon the post It, and which serves as the head is rotated therebeneath to successively elevate the holding clamps and then suddenly permit the springs to drive these clamps into holding engagement with successive heels. The upper end of the post It is threaded at 44, and providedwith an adjusting nut or its equivalent 46, which permits adjustment of the stationary cam vertically, and at the same time produces a like adjustment of the rotary table 20, which is maintained in engagement with the under face of the cam by thesprings 28, these springs preserving a definite relationship of the cam and rotary head, but

permitting combined adjustment of the two with respect to the turret table I8.

Upon reference to Fig. 3, the detailed construction of these features, together with the mechanism for locating the heel properly between the clamps, will be seen. As will be observed, the turret table l8 carries at spaced intervals on its periphery the driving clamps which have been indicated generally at I8. Each of these clamps consists of a rotary member 80 having a double pronged point 82, as seen in Fig. l, for the purpose of driving and rotating the heel blank. This surmounts a spindle 54 which is provided at its lower end with a gear 58. This gear is connected with an oscillating gear segment 88 mounted on an arm 80, which is pivoted for rotation about a stem 82, supported in the table l8. The upper or holding clamp, as indicated, is connected at the outer end of the elevating member 34, and is normally depressed by the coiled spring 02 supported in a casing 84. This clamp is merely provided with a dead center 80, and is intended through the action of the spring to engage the upper end of the heel block and through its pressure and impact force it into a firm driving engagement with the lower clamp. For the purpose of accurately positioning the heel block with respect to the holding clamps and insure that the center of oscillation shall properly coincide with the block and that it shall be held in the proper vertical relationship the front of the machine has attached to the base I a supporting bracket 88 upon which is adjustably mounted an arc-shaped slide 88 held in adiustedposition by a holding screw 10. This slide pivotally supports at I2 a work support 14 which is provided with a floor I8 over which the heel slides in inverted position, a single side guide 18. and a breast gauge 80. Both the side guide and breast gauge have capacity for adjustment to properly locate the heel and center it'with respect to the upper and lower clamps. Through the provision of this adjustment and the change in angularity by.adjusting the arc slide 88, the heel may be properly located.

In addition, the work support I4 is resiliently supported by a spring 82, which normally holds it in a definite position predetermined by the limiting stud 84 slotted at its lower end for the reception of a pin mounted in the block 88 and passing therethrough. The fioor of the work support is recessed at 88 to permit the lower clamp to pass thereacross, and as the heel is inserted in the work support manually and the turret continuously revolves, the clamps are brought into a central position at opposite ends of the heel block and the upper clamp is suddenly released by an abrupt step 90 upon the fixed cam 42, which allows the upperclamp to be suddenly depressed into contact with the block through the compression spring 32. Due to the resilient mounting of the work support 14, this motion carries the heel block into holding and driving engagement with the lower clamp, and the latter is then carried oil! the work support between the clamps, held thereby in a definite and predetermined relation.

The lower turret, as shown in Fig. 2, is actuated from a driving motor 92 mounted upon the base and driving a worm shaft 84 through a double belt 88. The shaft 94 is provided with a worm 88, which meshs with a worm gear I00, which upon reference to Fig. 1, will be seen as mounted upon the lower end of an elongated cylindrical hub I02 attached at its upper end to the turret table I8. This elongated hub rotates about a fixed sleeve bearing I04, which is mounted at its lower end upon the base I0. The table during the rotary movement rests upon and is supported at the upper end of the member I04.

As will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, the lower or driving heel clamps are oscillated during a portion of the revolving movement of the table, and to this end the lever or arm 80 carrying the gear segment 58 is formed as part of a bell crank pivoted about the shaft 82 and having a second arm I08 provided with a roll I08 in each case which rides in a fixed cam track IIO mounted on the base below the rotary table I8, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3. During the major portion of the rotation of the table, the cam track is inoperative and causes no oscillation of the heel blank. When that portion of the cam track is reached, however, which governs the heel during the cutting operation, a separate section of cam track H2 is pivoted at H4 to the main section and is oscillated at its free end 8- through an arm II8 connected to a crank I20. This crank, as shown in Fig. 1, is mounted at the upper end of a crank shaft I22 having a beveled driving gear I24 engaged by a beveled gear I28'mounted on the worm shaft 94 (see Fig. 1). By virtue of this construction the oscillation of the cam track about the center II4 imparts oscillatory movement to the lower heel clamp through the bell crank having the arms and I08 and the cooperating gears, this oscillation increasing in amplitude as the free end of the swinging cam track is approached, and reaching its maximum amplitude at approximately the point of maximum engagement with the cuttingbelt.

It will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 2 that beginning in the region indicated at I30 the oscillating cam track is distorted by employ ing an arc of the same radius with a different center for the purpose of altering the path of oscillation of the heel clamp. The purpose of this construction is to insure that the heel shape is presented at right angles to the belt at the center of oscillation. To accomplish this result and to compensate for the are through which the heel moves, the cam track throughout the working region consists of three arcs of the same radii with differently located centers.

The description thus far has dealt with the mounting and handling of the heel blank to be operated upon. The actual cutting of the heel blank is accomplished by an endless abrasive belt which is constrained to move in a predetermined path and to present a cutting surface to the blank designed to produce the proper curvature thereon. For this purpose, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, an endless belt I40 having an abrasive or cutting surface is mounted for rotation at opposite ends over a driving pulley I42 and a driven pulley I44, the axis of rotation of these pulleys being at right angles to one another to produce a partially crossed belt. The driving pulley I42 is directly connected with a motor or prime mover I48, whereas the driven pulley I44 is merely an idle pulley. As indicated more particularly in Fig. 4, the motor, belt and pulleys are mounted upon a supporting stand I48 as a unit. This stand is in turn adjustably supported upon a base I50. This base is capable of adjustment upon a fixed base I52 through adjusting screws I54 to move the belt unit bodily to and from the periphery of the rotary table. In addition, the support I48 is connected to the under support I50 through a diagonal link I56 connected to the lower and upper supports respectively at I50 and I60. An adjustable post I62 extends through the link and upper support, and bears upon the lower support to vary the elevation of the support I 48 with respect to the support I50, whereas a second adjustable post I64 is threaded in the upper support and bears upon the link I56 to vary, as will be evident, the inclination of the upper support with respect to the lower support. The driven pulley I44 is mounted on a shaft I66, and

-may be adjusted toward and from the driving end to maintain proper belt tension through the slide I60. The working run of the belt after leaving the driving pulley I42 is engaged by an idler pulley I10 having a fiat periphery, whereas the periphery of the driven pulley I44 is convex. In addition to this construction for supportin the belt, the belt is engaged immediately behind the working region by a stiff supporting brush I12, convex in width to maintain the convexity of ,the belt, and mounted in a head I14 which is supported at the upper end of a bracket I16 pivoted at I18 and normally forced against the run of the belt by a spring I80 to preserve a constant resilient pressure upon this portion of the belt.

As indicated more particularly in Figs. 2 and. 4, the oscillating heel blank is presented to the belt in such a manner that the latter slightly angles thereacross rather than moving in a path normal to the length of the heel from top to bottom. As the area of engagement between the abrasive belt and the heel blank during which oscillation occurs occupies some portion of the turret revolution, it will be evident that as the heel blank progresses throughout the working region due to turret revolution the cutting region in a like manner progresses upwardly throughout the surface of the heel or from top to bottom of the inverted heel. During this time the abrasive belt is maintained with the necessary convex contour, and the heel is oscillated with an amplitude sufficient to properly surface-finish the rear and sides of the blank. The combination of these movements results in an accurately and well finished heel blank with a surface free from ribs or lines.

In the modification, a plan view of which is indicated in Fig. 6, the operation of the machine is identical, the heels being successively mounted upon the rotating turret table and moved into engagement with an operating belt, during which time the heel blank is oscillated. In this type of operation, however, the actual cutting action is divided into two steps in order that a greater cutting action may be produced at the back of the heel if this be necessary because of the grain or other factors. From an inspection of this modification it will be evident that two cutting belts are provided instead of one, these belts being arranged at 90 to produce a twostep cutting operation upon successive heels.

The structural arrangement and the type of belt may be identical with that already described. The heel may also be oscillated through the same crank I20 engaging with the swinging cam track II2 pivoted at II4. In addition to this section of cam track a second and preceding section of swinging track I82 is pivoted at I04, and is preferably operated through a driving tooth engagement I06 with the short tail of the cam track II2. Due to this method the ampli-- tude of oscillation of the preceding or additional track I02 is much less than that of the main track, and will serve to impart a slight preliminary oscillation to the heel blanks, the amplitude of which will cause the cutting to be done at the back of the heel rather than throughout the back and sides of the heel, as is the case with the main operation. In all other respects both the operation and the mechanism are the same.

What is claimed is: Y

l. The method of shaping heels, which comprises the presentation of a heel shape with the rear portion in contact with a moving abrasive belt surface and traversing the heel shape lengthwise of the belt while passing the belt,

from one plane into a second plane disposed angularly thereto, and while so traversed oscillating the heel about an axis.

2. The method of shaping hceis. which consists in presenting the heel with the rearmost portion in contact with a'moving abrasive belt surface and traversing the heel shape lengthwise of the surface, causing the surface to present a generally convex cross-section to the heel and a twist lengthwise during the working region by passing from one plane into another angularly disposed thereto, and while so traversed oscillating the heel. shape about an axis to engage diilerent portions transversely of the belt.

3. The method of shaping heels, which comprises presenting a heel blank to a moving abrasive belt surface and traversing the heel shape lengthwise thereof, the belt supported to make a partial turn in passing between two planes disposed at a 90 angle, and while so traversed oscillating the heel blank about an axis to progressively engage different portions along the width of the belt.

4. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising an abrasive belt, means for supporting the belt to cause the working portion to make a partial turn, means for supporting a heel blank in a predetermined position with the rearmost portion in contact with the working portion of the belt, means for traversing the heel-supporting means lengthwise of the belt the heel-supporting means having capacity for oscillation about an axis.

5. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising an abrasive belt, means for supporting thebelt to cause the working portion to make a partial turn, U

means for supporting a heel blank in a predetermined position with the rearmost portion in contact with the working portion of the belt, means for traversing the heel-supporting means lengthwise of the belt and means for oscillating the heelsupporting means through an arc of predetermined extent.

6. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising an abrasive belt, means for supporting the belt to cause the working portion to make a partial turn, means for supporting a heel blank in a predetermined position with the rearmost portion in contact with the working portion of the belt, means for traversing the heel-supporting means lengthwise of the belt means for oscillating the heelsupporting means through an arc of predetermined extent, and flexible means for causing the working portion of the belt to present a convex contour in cross-section to the heel blank.

'1. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising an endless abrasive belt, a prime mover for driving the belt, a support for the belt and prime mover,

to present a heel blank in predetermined relation to the working portion of the belt.

8. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising a rotary table, a series of heel supports positioned on the table, means for rotating the table, an endless abrasive belt, means for supporting and operating the belt adjacent the periphery of the table with a changing plane of movement to engage and operate upon successive heels presented thereto by the table, and means for successively oscillating heels when in contact with the abrasive belt in the region of changing plane.

9. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising a rotary table, a series of heel supports positioned on the table, means for rotating the table, an endless abrasive belt, means for supporting and operating the belt adjacent the periphery of the table to engage and operate upon successive heels presented thereto by the table, means for successively oscillating the heels when in contact with the abrasive belt, and means for automatically modifying the path of oscillation of the heels during the travel thereof.

10. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising a rotary table, a series of heel supports on the table, means for clamping individual heel blanks to the supports, a plurality of endless abrasive belts positioned adjacent the table and designed to successively engage a heel blank during the rotation of the table, means for causing the belts during the working range to pass through changing planes oi movement and means for oscillating each heel blank during its engagement by an abrasive belt.

11. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising a heel support, means for clamping a heel blank to the support in predetermined position, an endless abrasive belt engaging with the rear portion of a heel clamped to the work support, means for causing the belt to change its plane oi! movement while in contact with the heel means for oscillating the work support while in contact with the belt, and a convex brush supporting the abrasive belt and designed to cause the belt to present a convex surface to the heel when in engagement therewith.

' 12. Apparatus for shaping heels, comprising a rotary table, a series of heel supports on the table, means for clamping heel blanks to the individual supports, a stationary cam track and cam lever connected with each support and operating in the track, means for oscillating a portion of the cam track to impart oscillation to the heel support, and an abrasive belt designed to engage a heel blank while so oscillated.

ARTHUR F. BALL. GEORGE A. CRAIG. 

